Maimoon Complete Hausa Novel by Maman Maama

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Where should I begin? Should I introduce you to Ibrahim first, or should I start by sharing a bit of my own history?

I am Maimuna Muhammad Dikko, born and raised in Abuja, Nigeria. My father, Alhaji Muhammad Dikko, hails from 'Yalleman town in Jigawa state. 'Yalleman is a picturesque Fulani town blessed with prosperity, which has led its people to establish themselves not only in Nigeria but also in cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, mainly due to their involvement in currency exchange.

My father, however, chose a different path, deviating from the family's agricultural tradition to become a scholar. He began his education in 'Yalleman, but his exceptional talents caught the attention of the headmaster, who urged his father, Alhaji Lawan Dikko, to send him abroad.

With the blessings of our generous grandfather, who had amassed substantial wealth, my father was sent to Lagos with the help of relatives residing there. From Lagos, he obtained a visa to England and enrolled in Gifted International College, where he commenced his secondary education. Every year, during breaks, he would return to Nigeria to visit our family, and each time he went back to England, our father would generously provide him with the necessary funds for his registration and daily needs.

My mother, Hajiya Adama, also played a crucial role. She tirelessly worked to sell her cattle secretly, unbeknownst to her husband, to collect money to support my father's education.

My father's educational journey continued as he completed his secondary education and secured a scholarship to study business administration at Oxford University. He pursued this path to eventually return home and assist his father in the family's business endeavors. At that point, he made it clear that there was no need for the family to worry about tuition fees, thanks to his scholarship. Still, Alhaji Lawan continued to send him money to cover his expenses.

Upon completing his undergraduate studies, my father aimed to realize his dream of taking over the family business. However, a dispute within the family, fueled by his mother's rival, Hajja, complicated matters. Hajja argued that my father had no claim to the family's assets, asserting that the funds spent on his education did not entitle him to a share. She contended that his pursuit of further education instead of joining the family business was unacceptable.

Faced with this turmoil, my father returned to England, where he completed his master's and Ph.D. studies. Subsequently, he embarked on a career in academia, teaching at Oxford for five years and ultimately earning a professorship.

Nonetheless, his parents insisted he return to Nigeria and lead a life more aligned with the family's expectations. Given his background in business education and experience in international dealings, my father took on the role of ambassador for Nigeria. His first assignment was in neighboring Niger.

That's a summary of my background.

Now, let me share a bit about my mother, Hajiya Fatima, affectionately known as Bintou. She originally hails from Buzu, a town in Niger. Sadly, her father passed away when she was still a child, leaving her with limited opportunities. Her mother, Maimoon, took on the responsibility of caring for her and ensuring she received an education.

At one point, they considered sending my mother to Nigeria for her studies. However, the lack of infrastructure and resources made this plan unfeasible. Fate intervened when my father, as the Nigerian ambassador to Niger, encountered my mother. He was initially drawn to her due to her passion for reading, and their connection eventually blossomed into a profound love story, despite the significant age difference.

During this period, my grandmother, Haj. Adama, played a pivotal role in encouraging their relationship, setting the stage for their eventual union.

A ina zan fara? Shin in fara gabatar muku da Ibrahim ne, ko kuma in fara ba ku ɗan tarihin rayuwata?

Ni ce Maimuna Muhammad Dikko, an haife ni kuma na taso a Abuja, Najeriya. Mahaifina, Alhaji Muhammad Dikko, ɗan garin Yalleman ne da ke jihar Jigawa. Yalleman gari ne mai kyau na Fulani da Allah Ya albarkace shi da arziki, wanda hakan ya sa mutanensa suka bazu ba kawai a faɗin Najeriya ba, har ma zuwa birane kamar Legas da Fatakwal, galibi saboda sana’ar canjin kuɗi da suke yi.

Sai dai mahaifina ya zaɓi wata hanya dabam. Ya kauce wa al’adar noma da ta kasance ta iyalinsu, ya mayar da hankali kan neman ilimi. Ya fara karatunsa a Yalleman, amma hazakarsa ta burge shugaban makarantar da har ya roƙi mahaifinsa, Alhaji Lawan Dikko, da ya tura shi ƙasashen waje domin ci gaba da karatu.

Da taimakon kakana mai karamci wanda Allah Ya hore wa dukiya mai yawa, aka tura mahaifina Legas tare da taimakon wasu dangi da suke zaune a can. Daga Legas ya samu bizar zuwa Ingila, inda ya shiga makarantar Gifted International College ya fara karatun sakandare. Kowace shekara idan aka ba su hutu, yakan dawo Najeriya domin ziyartar iyali, sannan idan zai koma Ingila, mahaifinsa yakan ba shi kuɗaɗen rajista da na buƙatun yau da kullum cikin karamci.

Mahaifiyarsa, Hajiya Adama, ita ma ta taka muhimmiyar rawa. A asirce take sayar da shanunta ba tare da mijinta ya sani ba domin tara kuɗin da za ta tallafa wa karatun mahaifina.

Mahaifina ya ci gaba da karatu har ya kammala sakandare, sannan ya samu tallafin karatu zuwa Jami’ar Oxford domin nazarin harkokin gudanar da kasuwanci. Ya zaɓi wannan fanni ne domin ya dawo gida ya taimaka wa mahaifinsa wajen tafiyar da kasuwancin iyali. A lokacin ya sanar da iyalinsa cewa babu buƙatar su damu da kuɗin makaranta saboda ya samu tallafin karatu. Duk da haka, Alhaji Lawan ya ci gaba da aika masa kuɗaɗen kashewa.

Bayan ya kammala digirinsa na farko, mahaifina ya yi niyyar cika burinsa na karɓar ragamar kasuwancin iyali. Sai dai rikici ya taso a cikin dangi, wanda wata kishiyar mahaifiyarsa mai suna Hajja ta haddasa. Hajja ta yi iƙirarin cewa mahaifina ba shi da wata haƙƙi a cikin dukiyar iyali. Ta ce kuɗin da aka kashe wajen karatunsa ba su ba shi damar rabon gado ba. Haka kuma ta nuna rashin amincewarta da yadda ya fifita ci gaba da karatu maimakon shiga kasuwancin iyali.

Saboda wannan rikici, mahaifina ya koma Ingila, inda ya kammala digirinsa na biyu da kuma na digirgir (PhD). Bayan haka ya shiga harkar koyarwa a jami’a, ya yi shekaru biyar yana koyarwa a Oxford, daga bisani kuma ya zama Farfesa.

Duk da haka, iyayensa sun dage cewa ya dawo Najeriya ya yi rayuwar da ta fi dacewa da muradunsu. Saboda iliminsa a fannin kasuwanci da gogewarsa a harkokin ƙasa da ƙasa, aka naɗa shi jakadan Najeriya. Aikinsa na farko kuwa shi ne a ƙasar Nijar mai maƙwabtaka da Najeriya.

Wannan shi ne taƙaitaccen tarihin asalina.

Yanzu kuma bari in ba ku labarin mahaifiyata, Hajiya Fatima, wadda aka fi sani da Bintou. Asalinta daga Buzu ne, wani gari a ƙasar Nijar. Abin takaici, mahaifinta ya rasu tun tana ƙarama, lamarin da ya rage mata damarmaki masu yawa. Mahaifiyarta, Maimoon, ita ce ta ɗauki nauyin rainonta tare da tabbatar da cewa ta samu ilimi.

A wani lokaci, sun yi tunanin turo mahaifiyata Najeriya domin ci gaba da karatu. Amma rashin ingantattun kayan more rayuwa da sauran buƙatu ya sa wannan shiri bai samu nasara ba. Sai dai ƙaddara ta sa mahaifina, wanda a lokacin yake matsayin jakadan Najeriya a Nijar, ya haɗu da mahaifiyata.

Abin da ya fara jan hankalinsa gare ta shi ne tsananin son karatu da take da shi. Daga wannan haɗuwa ne dangantakarsu ta fara girma har ta rikide zuwa soyayya mai zurfi, duk da bambancin shekaru mai yawa da ke tsakaninsu.

A wannan lokaci ne kakata, Hajiya Adama, ta taka muhimmiyar rawa wajen ƙarfafa dangantakarsu, wanda daga ƙarshe ya zama tushen aurensu da haɗuwar rayuwarsu.